Trip description

Cycling Istrian wine roads in

Discover an unordinary part of Croatia cycling through the wine roads from to Porec. A sea-kayaking activity will be possible at the end of the tour.

Destination Europe

Location Croatie

Duration 8 days

Difficulty Level Moderate

Validity Mars to November

Minimum age 14 years old

Reference CR0802

Type of stay itinerant trip

Itinerary

Discover the wonderful Istrian area. You will explore the north of the croatian peninsula passing through various perched villages like Groznjan or Discover the wonderful Istrian area. You will explore the north of the croatian peninsula passing through various perched villages like Groznjan or . You will ride between olive trees and vines. You will taste wine from the area and also the food speciality called "truffle". You will follow your road until you reach the Adriatic coast in the beautiful city of Porec. You will enjoy the marina and have fun with the sea kayaking option! The end of the itinerary will leads you to the city of . you will be charmed by the wonderful colours of its small streets and by its sprightful marina.

Day 1

Arrival in Arrival in Istria and meeting with an agency representative at 7pm at your hotel in Buje.

Day 2

Buje loop This tour starts with easy downhill ride to the coast on the northest point of Istrian peninsula. The trail continues south to . Little town with about 45 km of the Bike coastline and interesting hinterland integrates special features of the whole region and 47km might be the best introduction into a different experience of the Mediterranean. Umag’s history is extremly interesting; it was founded by roman nobleman who decided to make it his summer residence. The glamour, magnificence and glare of the times can be seen today in the Venetian houses of the old town. City walls and fortification are partially preserved as well as some renaissance and baroque buildings and churches. Vineyards and olive groves will create an atmosphere of typical west Istrian landscape. Visit to wine cellar to taste the muscat, local sort of wine.

Day 3

Buje – – From Buje area you’re cycling through Kršete pitoresque village and arriving to small town Novigrad – Buje Brtonigla. It has churches and monasteries from XV. century. Further the trail leads through wineyards and olive groves of Brtonigla area.Wine is very popular from this area (teran). Across endless vineyards You’ll reach Novigrad where you can visit the olive oil Bike 39km production and taste some of the best oils, in one word taste Istria.Through Dajla and villages on the coast you’re getting to Lovrečica venetian bishops coastal village.Following the road through Škrinjari, Babići and Buroli village you’ll see traditional istrian houses.Road by the wineyard will take you back to your hotel.

Day 4

Buje-Motovun Apart from enjoying the breathtaking landscape of the terrace - styled vineyards which resemble to an image on the front page of a holiday guide to Tuscany, you can indulge Bike the sensation the area of Buje gives, a real polyphony of fragrances and tastes. Riding 37km through magnificent rolling landscapes and lively Istrian vineyards, it will became obvious why it was also know once it was named as wine railway. After passing through many tunnels, over old bridges we will stop on many fascinating view points from charming medieval town of Grožnjan to Završje until we reach Motovun, town monument, an ancient little Istrian town located atop a 277-meter-high hill, 21 km south-east from Buje. Its present appearance, with the city walls surrounding the centre of the town, dates back to the Middle Ages.

Day 5

Motovun-Porec This part of the trail goes from inland to the coast. It follows the road to Višnjan where you will pass by an observatory. Its one of the 5 most famous observatories in the world. The Bike road continues to the town of Višnjan which is on 246m altitude and from there you’ll be 38km able to catch a view on west Istrian coast and the coastal town of Poreč. In Višnjan surroundings is possibile to visit many wine cellars with wine from Poreč area, especcialy . Tour countinues to Tar, a little town on the hill above the sea and to Nova Vas village by the famous cave (which you can visit). after passing a few more villages the trail reaches Poreč.

Porec--Porec or From Poreč the trail starts with sightseeing the Euphrasiana, the most valuable monument Seekayaking option in Poreč, a church build in 6th century. Follow the road untill you reach the village of Bačva village. Bačva is the highest point of this stage and there is local restaurant with around Porec traditional dishes where you can enjoy tasting local food. It continues to southern villages and it comes down to coast in the town of Vrsar. After Vrsar the trail passes Bike fishing village, Zelena and Plava Laguna touristic villages are the south doorstep of Poreč. 44km

Porec--Rovinj You can choose between taking a car transfer to Kanfanar or reach it on your own on bike. Kanfanar is a small Bike town above the Lim valley. From Kanfanar starts the flattest ride of all in this tour. Passing 33km by Istrian inland villages you will see traditional Istrian tool-houses (kažun).

After reaching Bale you can visit the Bembo palace, city square and museum. Continue to Rovinj and on the way you can visit see "Palud" an ornithological reserve where you can cycle around. After village Kokuletovica you can turn in Monkodonja. Monkodonja is a prehistoric hill-town inhabited about 1800-1200 BC during the Bronze Age.

After Monkodonja you will reach Rovinj, your goal of this tour, the "Pearl of Adriatic". With its church and bell-tower on the hill by thesea it’s very recognizable from all sides. Also called Istrian , old town which was once an island and then connected with land, famous for its traditional boat called batana. Restaurants with fresh fish combined with Malvasia will complete this week’s atmosphere. It will fascinate you. Everybody can enjoy Rovinj, its charm and magic.

Departure from Rovinj You can enjoy Rovinj before your departure.

Accommodation

Category A

You will stay in 3 star hotels or B and B. * Example of the type of accommodation

Practical information

To get to departure point:

By plane: fly to or

To get back to starting point:

You take the bus to go back to your departure point. We advise you to book the ticket in advance. Rovinj-Pula : 45mn; Rovinj-Trieste : 2h55mn.

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Price description

Category A € 729 /pers

Double room fare

7 nights in *** hotels or BandB 7 breakfasts 6-day rental of a fully-equipped bike (packs, helmets, locks…) luggage transfer the Kayak tour around Porec a road book with maps and descriptions of the route the delivery and return of the bikes local visitors' taxes sending charge of the travel documents in France 7/7 hotline

Low season* 55€/pers Mid-season** 80€/pers High season*** 155€/pers

Truffle hunt € 130/pers

Extra for a single room On demand

Extra night in Buje 45 €/pers Extra night in Rovinj 65 €/pers

Half board (6 diners) 160 €/pers

Options

Discount if you ride your own bicycle € -90/pers Discount if you ride your own bicycle € -90/pers

Extra for an electric bike € 100/pers Low season : from 01.03 to 27.04.2019 and from 28.09 to 30.11.2019 Mid season* : from 28.04 to 28.05.2019 High season**: from 29.05 to 27.06.2019 and from 29.08 to 27.09.2019 Very high season*** : from 28.06 to 28.08.2019

The package doesn''t include: the journey to the tour location the drinks the meals which are not included the entrance fee to sites insurances (optional)

For more information or booking : www.levelovoyageur.com +33 (0)1 80 91 98 18 or [email protected]